Russia has responded to a European Union move to lift its arms embargo for Syrian rebels by considering giving president Bashar Assad more high-powered missiles – raising the prospect of a new foreign-fed arms race in the Middle East.

Vladimir Putin today rejected opposition protests against his presidential election victory and his foreign ministry ruled out any softening of Moscow’s stance on Syria, a strong indication that the Russian leader has no intention of easing tough policies at home or abroad.

China's special envoy to Syria is expected to press authorities for a ceasefire even as Beijing remains firmly opposed to any foreign intervention in the conflict.

CASTING aside years of rancour, President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev yesterday signed the biggest nuclear arms pact in a generation, and issued new warnings of sanctions for an intransigent Iran.

US PRESIDENT Barack Obama and Kremlin leader Dmitry Medvedev agreed outline cuts in nuclear arsenals and a deal to let US troops fly across Russia, on the first day of an Obama visit intended to mend strained relations.